Greenville Arena District embarks on 25-year master plan to reimagine its campus and envision future of Bon Secours Wellness Arena

The Greenville Arena District (GAD), owner and operator of Bon Secours Wellness Arena, announced that architecture firms LS3P, LMN, and Gensler Sports have been awarded the contract for master planning services for the 15,500-seat sports and entertainment arena. The GAD is also in the process of re-imagining the district as the gateway into the flourishing city of Greenville, SC and selected LMN to oversee the urban design of the arena’s surrounding campus. The design teams will engage the local upstate community for input throughout the planning process, which is anticipated to take around six months.

The vision for the master plan will include significant improvements to and an expansion of Bon Secours Wellness Arena to ensure its long-term success and growth in the competitive Southeastern Region. Master planning services for the GAD campus will aim to transform it into a distinct destination. The newly imagined campus will embody a unique sense of place that will establish the area as a vibrant neighborhood, as well as a hub for live entertainment, music, and culture, all while keeping sustainability at the forefront.

General Manager of Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Beth Paul shares “We have selected a world class team to help deliver our vision for the future of the arena. Our mission is to enhance every aspect of the arena—from the surrounding campus and the building itself to the fan and client experiences, sustainability, programming, and security. By doing this, we hope to attract premier talent and set the stage for unforgettable memories.”

LS3P of Greenville, SC will oversee the project and market study in partnership with industry leading design and architecture firm, Gensler. Both firms bring deep benches of staff with combined experience spanning well over 100 years. Alongside Gensler, LS3P has overseen numerous projects such as Clemson University’s Littlejohn Arena and Raleigh’s PNC Arena upcoming renovations.

Gensler’s extensive global experience is unmatched. Their portfolio covers a range of properties including the Moody Center in Austin, TX, Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, Milwaukee’s Deer District, Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium, New York’s Citi Field and more.

Greg Brown, Senior Project Designer at Gensler shared “Redefining the future of Bon Secours Wellness Arena and its connection to the city of Greenville is an incredibly exciting opportunity at an incredibly exciting time. Our team is committed to delivering transformative solutions for both the venue and the city.”

LS3P Greenville Officer Leader John Edwards, AIA, NCARB, echoes Brown’s sentiments. “Our team is ready to begin providing guidance for our hometown arena’s next chapter, ultimately positioning it for continued success in an increasingly competitive regional market.”

Beth Paul also states, “We look forward to inviting the public into the planning process, seeking their feedback and ideas to guarantee that the community’s voice shapes the project’s development. We are committed to creating a distinct destination that embodies a unique sense of place—a hub where individuals come together to enjoy, unwind, and create shared memories. Integral to this vision is fostering a seamless connection with Downtown Greenville, celebrating the distinctive essence and historical significance of The Well and reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of our community’s identity.”

Bon Secours Wellness Arena is self-operating with a highly experienced full-time administrative team of 32 professionals. The Arena hosts a high volume of events with approximately 130 commercial/ticketed events each year, plus an additional 75-100 community/non-profit events annually, making it one of the busiest buildings of its size. Pollstar Magazine, a leading concerts and live entertainment industry trade publication, recently released its 2024 mid-year reports where the venue ranked #13 among American arenas and #25 worldwide for ticket sales. Since its opening in 1998, the arena has played host to more than 12 million enthusiastic fans, has created more than 500 full-time jobs, and injected well over $70 million into the Greenville metro area annually.

Bon Secours Wellness Arena is located at 650 N Academy Street in downtown Greenville, SC. For more information about the Greenville Arena District visit greenvillearenadistrict.com or bonsecoursarena.com and follow @bswarena across all social platforms.

 

About the Greenville Arena District

The Greenville Arena District is a special purpose district created by the General Assembly of South Carolina in 1940. Governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor, the District manages its facilities to provide educational, cultural, athletic, and convention center services for the citizens of the District. The Greenville Arena District oversaw the Greenville Memorial Auditorium which opened in 1958 and is now the owner and operator of Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

About Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Located in Greenville, SC, Bon Secours Wellness Arena is a 15,500-seat sports and entertainment arena that hosts live events including family shows, sporting events, concerts, minor league hockey, seminars and conventions. Club seats, party suites and luxury suites with premium services concierge are available in the arena.

About LS3P

Founded in 1963, LS3P is an architecture, interiors, and planning firm with regional roots and national reach. Operating from its twelve offices in four states, LS3P is deeply committed to the communities in which it serves and has been honored with over 680 design awards in diverse practice areas. For more information on LS3P, visit ls3p.com.

About Gensler

At Gensler, the value of our work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. We are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research and innovation to solve complex problems for our clients. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year.

About LMN Architects

LMN Architects was the recipient of the 1026 AIA National Architecture Firm Award and is widely recognized for the design of projects that support smart, sustainable cities. The firm’s ongoing dedication to communities at all scales is underscored by its design approach, creating environments that elevate the social experience.